I don't know that a hacker has to use the internet. From what I understand, cars are able to be hacked without using the internet. The trick is that if two systems are talking with each other on the Ethernet, then a hacker can get access through the Ethernet. So let's say you have one software system on a ship communicating with another, it could be possible for someone using that software elsewhere to hack the system.

--Previous Message-- : The Russians have been experimenting with GPS : jamming in Black Sea, it's been reported in : several maritime journals. But this is VERY : unlikely to be the cause, for one thing, you : don't use GPS to avoid collisions with other : ships. Equally unlikely is any hacking of : ships systems. They aren't connected to the : internet! My sources report a steering : hardware failure of some kind. A Burke class : ship sometimes trails one shaft to save : fuel, and isn't particularly nimble when : doing so - and it would be difficult to : steer with differential thrust if trailing a : shaft, should there be some rudder issue. : That area is packed with ships, losing : steering around there is bad news :